NEWS | WORKING TO ALLEVIATE SUCCULENT POACHING
South African National Biodiversity
WORKING TO ALLEVIATE SUCCULENT POACHING | NEWS
• The region has, until recently, received limited conservation focus in relation to its global biodiversity value, however, the large areas of available extant (degraded and pristine) habitat, low human population densities, relatively low conservation costs in most of the region, and options for biodiversity-friendly forms of land use in many areas present many opportunities for conservation and sustainable development centred around the hotspot’s remarkable biodiversity.
SANBI’s role in the succulent poaching issue Various divisions and directorates at SANBI are affected by the succulent poaching issue, as follows:
• The recent observed surge in poaching of succulent plants is affecting the operations at some of SANBI’s national botanical gardens, as they struggle to process and care for the thousands of confiscated plants.
• The institute has also taken steps to improve the security of its biodiversity data, as citizen science platforms are known to have been used by poachers to locate sought-after plants.
• SANBI’s Threatened Species Programme monitors the status of in situ (on-site) populations of succulent plant species and undertakes national conservation assessments of all South Africa’s species. Updates of Red List assessments for key succulent species will be needed.
• SANBI also provides technical support to the Scientific Authority of South Africa, which advises government on sustainable use and trade in South Africa’s wildlife.
Recently, SANBI has been involved in co-leading a working session with colleagues from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), which brought various stakeholders together with
the aim of developing a national response strategy.
In addition, SANBI has created an internal Succulent Poaching Working Group (SPWG), which is an inter-divisional group that aims to coordinate efforts across SANBI to
identify and undertake key activities that will contribute to alleviating the impacts of this crisis. To date the SPWG has identified the following objectives:
1. Co-lead the development of the national response strategy with DFFE, ensuring stakeholders are adequately consulted.
2. Establish ex situ (off site) conservation collections that ensure genetically diverse repositories. This will include a Conophytum-specific collection at the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden and additional seed collection for the Millennium Seed Bank.
3. Optimise the use of confiscated plant material for conservation benefit – which may include using this material as mother stock to produce seed and seedlings.
4. Explore options for reintroduction and restoration if reintroduction sites can be secured from further poaching.
5. Seek, secure and manage funding to address SANBI’s ability to undertake these objectives.
The Saving Succulents Communication Team consists of (in alphabetical order): Carol Poole, Dane McDonald, Ismail Ebrahim, Ruqaya Adams, Sediqa Khatieb, Shahieda Davids, Tasneem Variawa and Zimkita Mavumengwana.
First published by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) in the SANBI Gazette November 2021. Republished with permission.
Figure 2. A map of the Succulent Karoo Biome. Map produced by Sediqa Khatieb.
Teacup artwork highlights environmental issues
What can you do over a cup a tea? Rather a number of socially significant things, such as hooking up with old friends. At the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden (NBG) a cup of tea became the product of innovation when more than 2,000 cups were used to create an impressive artwork in June 2021.
The South African Rooibos Council decided to pledge support to efforts to better manage the environment with a display titled ‘Working towards a sustainable future’. The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) was a suitable partner as the environmental champion and Walter Sisulu NBG was the host venue.
The display was part of the annual World Environment Day celebrations that seek to highlight the importance of good environmental management for a sustainable future.
The artwork installation was the product of mixed media artist Gina Waldman, who was commissioned to do the artwork using various rooibos tea blends that were carefully positioned to resemble a globe when viewed from above.
SA Rooibos director, Nicie Vorster, said the industry was renewing its focus on sustainability. Vorster also said in the statement they chose to illustrate their pledge towards social and environmental stewardship in a creative way,
because art has the ability to connect with people on emotional and subliminal levels, sometimes inspiring a heightened appreciation for nature or a re-evaluation of human progress.
“On average, about 14,000 tons of rooibos are produced every year, of which half is consumed locally, while the rest is exported to more than 30 countries across the globe.
Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, UK and the US are currently the biggest importers of the tea,” said Vorster.
“While enormous strides have been made to make the rooibos tea chain more sustainable, we can always do more, and we will build on the foundation we have to continue working on all three dimensions of sustainability
— environmental, economic and social — while also taking the Agenda 2030 Sustainability Development Goals into account.”
Vorster emphasised, “As our sustainability journey continues to gain momentum, we are encouraging other industries and the public to also play their part in preserving the environment and building a green economy in which all can thrive.”
Written by Ronny Tshabalala. First published by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) in the SANBI Gazette November 2021. Republished with permission.
Tea cups, aerial view.
NEWS | TEACUP ARTWORK HIGHLIGHT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES